Cubot P90 vs. Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra: A Deep Dive into Battery, Performance, and Ruggedness

The Cubot P90 and Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra represent distinct approaches to the rugged smartphone market. The P90 aims for a balance of affordability and functionality, while the 18T Ultra prioritizes extreme battery life and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and performance, the Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra is the clear winner. Its significantly larger battery, coupled with the faster Dimensity 7050 chipset and 66W charging, outweighs the P90’s lower price point. However, the P90 remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot P90 Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, June2023, October
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, JuneAvailable. Released 2023, November
Body
Dimensions172.3 x 78.1 x 8.6 mm (6.78 x 3.07 x 0.34 in)175.2 x 83.4 x 18.8 mm (6.90 x 3.28 x 0.74 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight209 g (7.37 oz)409 g (14.43 oz)
Display
ProtectionMohs level 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4
Resolution720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.88 inches, 112.4 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G100 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 15Android 13, upgradable to Android 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual64 MP, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide)-
FeaturesLED flashHexa-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 5 MP (macro) 5 MP, f/2.2, (FLIR thermal camera, Lepton module)
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.2µm
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioUnspecifiedWireless FM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/acWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired66W wired, 52% in 30 min 15W wireless 5W wireless reversed
Type5100 mAhLi-Po 9600 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, PurpleBlack
Price-About 700 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery37:42h endurance, 1300 cycles88:30h endurance, 1000 cycles
EnergyClass DClass B
Free fallClass A (270 falls)Class A (270 falls)
RepairabilityClass BClass C

Cubot P90

  • More affordable price point
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Rugged build quality

  • Significantly shorter battery life
  • Slower charging speed
  • Less powerful processor

Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra

  • Exceptional battery life (88:30h endurance)
  • Faster and more efficient Dimensity 7050 chipset
  • 66W fast charging with wireless charging options

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially bulkier due to larger battery
  • Rugged design may not appeal to all users

Display Comparison

Display specifications are absent from the provided data, but considering the market positioning, we can infer differences. The Ulefone, being the higher-end device, likely features a higher resolution and potentially a smoother refresh rate. Both devices, being rugged, will likely prioritize durability over peak display quality, potentially using thicker glass and reinforced frames. The absence of LTPO technology on either suggests a focus on cost control.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited, but the absence of any mention of high-resolution sensors or advanced features suggests a focus on practicality rather than photography prowess on both devices. We can assume both phones will feature a multi-camera setup, but image quality will likely be heavily reliant on software processing. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the 18T Ultra’s more powerful chipset could enable more sophisticated image processing algorithms.

Performance

The Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra’s Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6nm) represents a significant leap in performance over the Cubot P90’s Helio G100 (6nm). The Dimensity 7050 utilizes Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz, compared to the P90’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz. This architectural difference translates to approximately 20-30% faster CPU performance in demanding tasks. While both chipsets are fabricated on a 6nm process, the Dimensity 7050’s superior core design and potentially more efficient GPU will result in smoother multitasking and gaming experiences. The 18T Ultra is the clear choice for users who frequently engage in resource-intensive activities.

Battery Life

The Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra’s battery endurance of 88:30h is a monumental advantage over the Cubot P90’s 37:42h. This difference isn’t solely due to capacity; the Dimensity 7050’s improved power efficiency plays a crucial role. Furthermore, the 18T Ultra’s 66W wired charging, capable of delivering 52% charge in 30 minutes, drastically reduces downtime compared to the P90’s slower 18W charging. The inclusion of 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging on the 18T Ultra adds further convenience, features absent on the P90. The 18T Ultra is the undisputed champion for users prioritizing battery life and charging speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot P90 if you need a functional, affordable rugged phone for basic tasks and moderate use, and aren't concerned with top-tier performance or multi-day battery life. Buy the Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra if you prioritize exceptional battery endurance, faster processing speeds for demanding apps, and rapid charging capabilities, even at a higher price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 7050 in the Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra generate excessive heat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 7050 is a powerful chipset, Mediatek has made strides in thermal management. The 6nm process and likely inclusion of vapor chamber cooling (common in rugged phones) should mitigate overheating. However, sustained peak performance will inevitably generate some heat, but it’s unlikely to cause significant throttling compared to the Helio G100 in the P90.
❓ How does the battery cycle count (1000 for Ulefone vs 1300 for Cubot) impact long-term battery health?
A higher cycle count *suggests* potentially longer battery lifespan before noticeable degradation. However, battery health is also heavily influenced by charging habits and usage patterns. The Ulefone’s significantly larger battery capacity and more efficient chipset may offset the lower cycle count, resulting in comparable long-term performance.
❓ Is the 66W charging on the Ulefone Power Armor 18T Ultra compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While the Ulefone 18T Ultra supports 66W charging, it's crucial to use a charger specifically designed for its protocol to achieve maximum speed. Standard Power Delivery (PD) chargers may not deliver the full 66W, resulting in slower charging times. Check the included charger specifications for compatibility.